Larval-predator

Guides

• Microdontinae

  Ant Flies and Allies

  A subfamily of hoverflies (Syrphidae) comprising approximately 400 species, distinguished by their obligate myrmecophilous lifestyle. Larvae develop within ant nests as predators or scavengers of ant brood, exhibiting reduced body segmentation compared to other syrphid larvae. Adults of many species remain near host ant colonies rather than visiting flowers; some species lack functional mouthparts entirely. Several genera lack the spurious vein characteristic of other Syrphidae.

  myrmecophilymimicryHymenoptera-mimicryant-parasitoidlarval-predatorreduced-morphologyspurious-vein-absenceobligate-symbiosis

• Psorophora horrida

  Psorophora horrida is a species of predatory mosquito in the family Culicidae. Like other members of the genus Psorophora, its larvae are obligate predators that feed on other aquatic insect larvae. The species has been documented in North America. Adults are likely large-bodied given the genus tendency toward substantial size.

  predatory-mosquitofloodplain-speciesobligate-predatorlarval-predator

• Xylomya terminalis

  Xylomya terminalis is a species of wood soldier fly in the family Xylomyidae, described by Vasey in 1977. The species is known from the eastern United States, with records from Vermont and other states. Xylomyidae are predatory flies whose larvae develop in decaying wood and under bark. Adults are typically found in woodland habitats.

  DipteraXylomyidaewood-soldier-flypredatorydecaying-woodNorth-Americaforest-insectwoodland-habitatlarval-predatorunder-bark